Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Commissioner/Secretary, PHE /I&FC, who is also the Chairman of the Executive Committee under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), reviewed the implementation of the JJM programme in the Union Territory of Ladakh on May 18.

It was informed during a meeting that the work of Jal Jeevan Mission is in full swing in Ladakh in all villages and 21 villages so far have achieved ‘Har Ghar Jal’ status by providing 100% tap connections to all Households. Four blocks i.e. Thiksey (82%), Saspol (77%), Thaisuru (54.5%), and Drass (56%) are the leading blocks in providing tap connections and they are expected to achieve 100% saturation soon. The first 20 villages and 2 blocks would be provided reward funds of ₹5 lakh and 25 lakh respectively on achieving 100% saturation. For that, the villages need to declare themselves 100% connected in a gram sabha meeting which is pending from many villages despite 100% coverage. 

The vision of the JJM programme is for every rural household to have a drinking water supply in an adequate quantity of prescribed quality on a regular and long-term basis leading to improvement in living standards or rural communities. So far 34.61% of households in Ladakh are provided tap water connection. Besides, all the schools and Anganwadi centres of Leh have also been provided with tap water connections. Work of providing tap water connections to schools/AWCs of Kargil is also at an advanced stage and expected to achieve 100% saturation soon. 

The Commissioner/Secretary issued directions to both the DCs and the PHE officers to ensure providing 100% tap connections even to all the community halls, Gram Panchayat Buildings, and health institutions. Besides, a handwashing facility and tap connection to toilets in all schools are also required to be provided. Sahu also directed the concerned officials to expedite the installation of solar water heaters in all Schools so that a warm water supply is available for handwashing. He also asked the Technical Education, and Skill Development Department to conduct National Skill Development Council-approved training programme for the PHE/I&FC Department’s Daily Wageworkers in Plumbing, Electrician, and Pump Operator skills. 

JJM, PMU, UT Ladakh, Parikh Shukla gave the Commissioner/Secretary a detailed presentation on the works accomplished under JJM including the progress of Functional Tap Connection coverage; status of piped water supply to Schools, Anganwadi centres, and other public institutions; Grey Water Management; Monitoring and Redressal of Public Complaints; Skill Development and Capacity Building Plan, and Operation and Maintenance Plan. 

JJM, PMU apprised the Commissioner/Secretary that for redressal of public complaints a call centre will be set up within the next 20 days. The public can also address their grievances through a digital feedback system; a QR code will be displayed and the data will directly reach the respective officer, he added. 

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Commissioner Leh/Kargil; Director DIHAR, Director of School Education; Director of Health; Director, Planning; Chief Engineer, PHE; Chief Engineer, I&FC; Chief Engineer, Mechanical; Superintending Engineer, PHE/I&FC Circles, Leh/Kargil; OSD, Technical Education, and Skill Development Department, and JJM, PMU.